A West Midlands Round Up By Alan Towe
In their middle of the season fixture in the Premier Division of the BDO Inter County Championships, Warwickshire were unable to make it four consecutive wins over their hosts Lancashire as they lost 20-16 despite having a good start to the weekend when the ladies ‘B’ finished all square at three each with Wendy Adams taking the lady of the match award for her straight 3-0 win over Marie Fitton with a 19.27 average and the men’s team making it four wins in five games with their 7-5 result. Top player for the men was Jamie Atkins who although he was taken to a seventh and deciding leg by James Caton won 4-3 with a 26.92 average to earn him his first match award for the season.
For the second successive fixture the ladies ‘A’ lost 5-1, however for the third consecutive time Natalie Gilbert took their match award, on this occasion with a 3-1 win over Sue Corry after Corry had won the opening leg, Natalie’s average 21.53. The men’s ‘A’ suffered a narrow 7-5 defeat, their first reversal since the opening day of the season. With a tremendous 30.52 average Ian McFarlane came from 2-0 down against Carl Sneyd and went on to win 4-2 and in the process take the man of the match award for his efforts.
Full Results:Premier Division:Lancashire v Warwickshire (20-16):Lancashire names first):Men’s ‘A’:- Mick Oversby 3 Steve Giddings 4, Dave Evans 1 Charlie Symons 4, Martin Atkins 4 Jamie Hughes 2, Wez Newton 4 Tom Aldridge 1, Simon Preston 4 Antony Allen 2, Carl Sneyd 2 Ian McFarlane 4, Dave Airey 3 Nigel Heydon 4, Matt Clarke 3 Kevin Dowling 4, Andrew Johnson 1 Ted Evetts 4, Bradley Brooks 4 Ian Shaw 2, Kev Garcia 2 Noel Grant 4, Lee Shewan 4 Dean Stewart 1, Men’s ‘B’:- Dave Adshead 4 Jack Wareing 2, Gary Davey 4 Karl Reynolds 0, James Caton 3 Jamie Atkins 4, Gary Jackson 2 Robert Comben 4, Barry Kerfoot 2 Gareth Braham 4, Tony Clarke 2 David Hill 4, Ian Lever 4 James Hykin 0, Michael Sexton 2 Tom Martin 4, Christopher O’Connor 4 Tom McGlone 3, Terry Hey 4 Carl Green 3, Sam Cromwell 4 Mark Strong 2, Tony Baker 4 Mark Carter 2, Women’s ‘A’:- Tracey Cunningham 3 Caroline Pike 2, Ally Smith 3 Sue Gulliver 0, Jo Clements 3 Melanie Jones 0, Sue Cusick 3 Nina Bolt 1, Sue Corry 1 Natalie Gilbert 3, Amy Eden 3 Donna Pinch 1, Women’s ‘B’:- Anne-Marie Millership 3 Chloe McKivett 2, Marie Fitton 0 Wendy Adams 3, Sharon Seed 1 Angela Jones 3, Audrey Underwood 3 Marian Conway 1, Danni-Lea Platt 3 Denise Keyte 1, Ged Fielding 1 Kat Spanswick 3.
Congratulations to Warwickshire’s Jamie Hughes and West Midlands player Scott Baker who have both secured a two-year Tour Card after competing at Wigan in the PDC UK Qualifying School. Tipton based Hughes won on the first day of qualifications beating Jamie Barrowman (5-3 with an 86.7 average), Sean Bell (5-1 with an 88.8 average), John Bryan (5-1 with a 97.0 average), Scott Dale (5-2 and a 95.6 average) before a run of three games with top averages of 109.8, 109.3 and 108.5 against respective opponents Callan Rydz (5-4), Kevin Thomas (5-1), and Dafydd Edwards (5-1). Hughes then recorded a resounding 5-1 win over ex-World finalist Kirk Shepherd to secure his status as a full-time professional for the 2019 and 2020 PDC circuit.
On day two and in his first attempt at Q School Scott Baker was also successful. He began his campaign with confidence boosting 5-0 whitewashes over Mark Esposito and Lorraine Winstanley before beating David Adshead 5-2 with a superb 107.7 average. He then followed up with victories over former Tour Card holders Barrie Bates, Stephen Burton and Jonathan Worsley before a 5-2 success over Lakeside Championship semi-finalist Jim Williams to put him within one win of glory.
A convincing 5-1 triumph over American Danny Lauby, confirmed Baker's status, like Hughes as a full-time professional on the PDC circuit for 2019 and 2020.
The intriguing battle at the top of the Shirley Premier League continued in week nine with Thomas Bent taking his turn at the top of the table with 54 points from 18 games after a 3-1 win against Ken Hopton and a 4-0 success against Sam Hicks. Former leader Mark Henderson has dropped to third place as after a 4-0 win over Chris Thomas snr he then lost 3-1 to Chris Thomas jnr leaving him two points short of Bent’s total. Phil Thomas holds on to second place and is just one point off the top after he beat both Brian Lawton and Steve Harper 3-1. Third in the table Ken Hopton is on the same 52 points as the player just above him Mark Henderson despite his 3-1 defeat to Bent as he recovered and went on to win 4-0 against Dave Barrows. Full Results:Week 9:- Chris Thomas snr 1 Dave Fisher 3, Dave Heighway (180) 3 Jordan Ottley 1, Trevor Carter 2 Sam Hicks 2, Jack Barrows 0 Chris Thomas jnr 4, Lee Lattimer 1 Dave Barrows 3, Ken Hopton 1 Thomas Bent 3, Kevin Graver 4 Derek Harper 0, Brian Lawton 1 Phil Thomas 3, Mark Henderson 4 Chris Thomas snr 0, Sean Talbot 2 Gary Cleverley 2, Tony Daly (180) 2 Colin Geens 2, John Smyth 3 Dave Fisher 1, Steve Harper 2 Jordan Ottley (180) 2, Dave Heighway 2 Trevor Carter 2, Thomas Bent 4 Sam Hicks 0, Mark Gwalchmai 0 Brian Lawton (16 darts game) 4, Chris Thomas jnr 3 Mark Henderson 1, Tony Daly 0 Mark Gwalchmai 4, John Smyth 3 Kevin Graver 1, Dave Barrows 0 Ken Hopton 4, Chris Thomas snr 2 Lee Lattimer 2, Jack Barrows 0 Sean Talbot 4, Dave Fisher 3 Derek Harper 1, Phil Thomas (180) 3 Steve Harper 1, Gary Cleverley (100f) 4 Colin Geens 0, Chris Thomas jnr (180) 3 Brian Lawton 1, Kevin Graver 1 Tony Daly 3, Trevor Carter 3 Dave Fisher 1.
The South Birmingham Winter League had their Roy Parry Cup on their fixture card in which there were no shock results as division one leaders Coleshill Social beat division two’s top side The Dog 5-4, the all C’s Club tie produced a convincing 8-1 result in favour of C’s Top Guns who are second in division one over C’s Hot Shots who are placed in a mid-table position in division two. The only other game played was an all division two affair which saw The Trident win 5-4 against C’s Flights. Full Results:Roy Parry Cup:- Coleshill Social 5 (G.Jones 3x100, S.Sweetman 112, N.Harris 115, P.Williams 105) The Dog 4 (J.Boylen 100, M.Clayton 120,100,140,2x12 darts games, S.O'Brien 100,118), C's Flights 4 (J.Pitts 100, R.Beale 133, S.Beale 105b,123,140, J.Meigh 100) The Trident 5 (C.Vann 101b, K.Buttle 116b, J. Lawton 117b), C’s Hot Shots 1 (D.White 100, S.Moran 100, J.Masfield 120) C's Top Guns 8 (S.Edwards 116b, B.Nixon 100,100f,10 darts game, P.Kingdon 107f,140, D.Clinton 140,123,105, M.Mann 100,112b,152b, J.Jennings 120b).
Week thirteen proved to be a little unlucky for a couple of title contenders in the C’s Club Wednesday Night Double Top League as long term leader Bob Nixon suffered his first defeat in 23 games when he lost 2-1 to second in the table Mitchell Mann. With an earlier 2-1 win over Adam Gallett, Nixon holds on to pole position with a two points lead plus four games in hand on Mann who remains second. There was also a first defeat in seventeen games for Simon Edwards as he began the night on the wrong side of a 3-0 scoreline against Steve Sidwell, however he recovered and added 3-0 wins over Melissa Beale and Chris Meigh to his account to put him fourth in the table on 51 points, twelve short of leader Nixon but with four games in hand. Full Results:Week 13:- Pete Kingdon 1 Gavin Davidson 2, Charlie Kingdon 3 Jay Meigh 0, Chris Cooke 0 Richard Mills 3, Jay Pitts 3 Aaron Anson 0, Steve Beale 0 Phil Ashford 3, Jay Meigh 1 Steve Beale 2, Gordon Clinton 0 Dan White 3, Mick Noonan 3 Richard Meigh 0, Simon Edwards 0 Steve Sidwell 3, Mitchell Mann 3 Frank Dixon 0, Connor Marshall 2 Gordon Clinton 1, Bob Nixon 2 Adam Gallett 1, Luke Beale 1 Chris Meigh 2, Steve Sidwell 3 Charlie Kingdon 0, Louise Beale 0 Connor Marshall 3, Melissa Beale 0 Phil Ashford 3, Wayne Cooper 3 Jack Sidwell 0, Jack Sidwell 0 Adam Gallett 3, Steve Sidwell 3 Richard Hopkins 0, Dave Field 3 Richard Meigh 0, Gary Groves 3 Ryan Beale 0, Aaron Anson 0 Dan White 3, Steve Groves 1 Jamie Carter 2, Aaron Anson 0 Richard Mills 3, Jay Pitts 2 Chris Cooke 1, Gavin Davidson 1 Richard Hopkins 2, Steve Sidwell 1 Pete Kingdon (118f) 2, Jack Sidwell 1 Dave Field 2, Dan White 3 Luke Beale 0, Jamie Carter 2 Jack Sidwell 1, Simon Edwards (180) 3 Melissa Beale 0, Steve Groves 2 Louise Beale 1, Wayne Cooper 0 Mick Noonan 3, Luke Beale 0 Ryan Beale 3, Gary Groves 1 Frank Dixon 2, Chris Meigh 0 Simon Edwards 3, Bob Nixon 1 Mitchell Mann 2, Adam Gallett 2 Mick Noonan (180) 1, Richard Hopkins 0 Mitchell Mann 3.
The only notable change in the Shirley and District Monday Night League table was the swapping of places by The Bears and Legion Flights as Flights 6-3 home defeat at the hands of third in the league Red Lion saw them drop to fifth place and The Bears with a 6-3 home win over Legionnaires replace Flights in fourth place. Leaders Highwood with six games to go held on to their four points lead over second in the table The Wharf as they beat Plume of Feathers 8-1 and Wharf won 6-3 at Cider House, Red Lion are a further two points adrift on 36 points. Biggest win of the week was a 9-0 success for Saracens Misfits over Shirley Spartac, which saw Spartac drop to the foot of the table, an excellent 5-4 away win for Sharmans Cross at the Blue Bell lifting them two places off the bottom spot. Full Results:Week 24:- Cider House (Matt McCallion 180, Mark O’Donnell 180) 3 The Wharf (John Smyth 180) 6, Legion Royals 5 Saracens Jesters 4, Blue Bell 4 Sharmans Cross 5, The Bears 6 Legionnaires 3, Legion Flights (Wayne Clarke 110f) 3 Red Lion 6, The Highwood (Andy Foulkes 180) 8 Plume of Feathers 1, Saracens Misfits 9 Shirley Spartac 0, The Lodge had a bye.
Leaders of division one in the Four Oaks and District Winter League The Boat had a bye in week eight and the chasing pack of three all took advantage to reduce the arrears as they all won, however they have now all played one game more than The Boat. Second in the division Old Oscott Arrows drew level on 12 points with the leaders after a 6-3 win at The Boot while Boldmere St Mikes are third and two points adrift of the top two following their 9-0 thrashing of Red Lion. Fourth placed Golden Hind beat Pint Pot Flights 6-3 to leave them a further two points adrift. The Fox stay top of the second division with a 7-2 win at Boldmere Tap to keep them two points ahead of St Thomas’s Social Club who kept the pressure on the leaders with an 8-1 win at The Oscott Social. Erdington Arrows, Bishop Vesey and Drakes Drum are all on the same eight points, Erdington Arrows had a bye but Bishop Vesey lost ground as they suffered a 7-2 defeat at the hands of the Drakes Drum team. Third division leaders Oscott Sports beat The Digby 7-2 and remain unbeaten in seven games while second in the table Rosey Mac’s are just two points off the top after their 7-2 win against Sutton Sports and Social Club. Full Results:Game 8:Division One:- The Boot 3 (J.Kavanagh 100b,112,100, R.Smith 135, P.Opieler 115, T.Evans 116,140,105f, I.Taylor 2x100, R.Kavanagh 100) Old Oscott Arrows 6 (M.Page 100, E.Atkins 140,112, J.Higgins 103b, A.Lea 100,125,128, D.Parsons 112b,4x100,110f,103,115f, B.Hoare 100), Boldmere St Mikes 9 (C.Perry 100b,100,180, M.Wild 120b,121f,100b,125,9 darts game, A.Kimberley 3x140, B.Linnecor 100,111f, M.Ashton 100b,2x100, S.Edwards 141,100,151f, J.Liggins 102,121) Red Lion 0 (M.Gaughan 134, S.Larvin 100, B.Hughes 100, L.Vickers 113), Golden Hind 6 (T.O’Kereke 2x100b,2x100,140, G.Kimberley 100,180, D.Vickers 120,2x100, D.Pickering 100,180, S.Pritchett 100b, T.Vickers 100b,140, W.Naylor 102,100,109f,9 darts game) Pint Pot Flights 3 (P.Robbins 100, N.Robbins 103b, R.Mercer 140, M.Bagnall 100,125, J.Moon 100), Division Two:- Drakes Drum 7 (J.Mahon 100, M.Deathridge 112b,100, J.Clarke 102b,139,8 darts game, J.Verschoyle 120b, N.Goldie 116, A.Day 3x100) Bishop Vesey 2 (N.Sammons 102b,140, M.Hall 100, A.France 2x100,105, D.Sammons 100), The Oscott Social 1 (P.Graham 100, A.Whitehouse 124b,140, T.Purcell 140) St Thomas’s Social Club 8 (J.Collins 108b,121, I.Lloyd 112b,2x100, M.Corfield 100b,3x100,137,120, I.Matthews 100,133, K.Shorthouse 100), Boldmere Tap 2 (D.Simpson 125,2x100, K.Gow 100, P.Bromley 125) The Fox 7 (A.Cooksey 101,140,158f, M.Horacek 100, W.Cadby 2x100, S.Wilson 140,100), Division Three:- Oscott Sports 7 (D.Munge 100b, M.Bowles 100,140, J.Tolley 144, A.Cole 100, C.Farley 100, N.Hawkley 112b,100, R.Bennett 101b,100) The Digby 2 (T.Streeter 105b,100, D.Thompson 138,121,140, G.Wood 100b,123,100, H.Saddler 125,100), St Thomas’s Arrows 5 (R.Nelson 106b, P.Andrew 121, M.Andrews 100, C.Connelly 100, M.Price 120, G.Lynch 103) The Towers 4 (D.Stride 2x100, J.Addison 3x100, A.Poyner 120b,100), Rosey Mac’s 7 (R.Lloyd 119, S.Wright 105b,116,125, A.Poole 119, J.Cox snr 100,105,136) Sutton Sports and Social Club 2 (G.Hinett 100, D.Clarke 100, C.Clarke 101, J.Boulstridge 101b, R.Hinett 100), The Boat, Erdington Arrows and The Lad In The Lane all had a bye.
The Camp Hill League have got their new season underway and the early pacesetters with 5-2 wins are Roost and Tyseley WMC who in turn defeated North Star and Wagon and Horses. Just one leg of average short of the top two teams are Sedgemere Devil’s Club and reigning champions White Swan Nomads who in turn had 4-3 wins over Emerald Club and New Inn. Full Results:Week 1:- Tyseley WMC 5 Wagon and Horses 2, White Swan Nomads 4 New Inn 3, Emerald Club 3 Sedgemere Devil’s Club 4, North Star 2 The Roost 5.
It was cup week in the Small Heath League with the semi-finals of their League Cup and the next game in the Round Robin Consolation Cup. In the League Cup league leaders East Birmingham Allotment Holders Association handed out a 9-0 whitewash to their opponents Sheldon Marlborough Flights and currently second in the league Heartlands Club won 8-1 against Sheldon Marlborough Arrows to set up what will be a tremendous final between the league’s top two teams. In the Round Robin Consolation Cup there was a 5-4 win for Emerald Club over Cob’s Bar. Full Results:League Cup:Semi Finals:- Sheldon Marlborough Flights 0 (R.McGuigan 112) East Birmingham Allotment Holders Association 9 (N.Parsonage 100,140, C.Wyatt 2x120b, N.Davis 105,100,120b, M.Cooper 140, T.White 100,120b,125), Sheldon Marlborough Arrows 1 (M.Tilly 100,120, D.Brown 136, M.O’Sullivan 118) Heartlands Club 8 (D.Bond 100b, I.Jones 120b,102f, Jim Frost 100,118f, G.McCormack 120b,127, S.McCormack 122, S.Cain 120b,100, A.Downes 180, John Frost 100), Consolation Cup:- Cob’s Bar 4 (A.Lattimer 139f,121, D.Shakespeare 100) Emerald Club 5 (A.Fisher 128, D.Willis 100, G.Daly 100).
The quarter finals of the 3 A-Side Knockout was the order for the day for the Brierley Hill Friday Night League and making their way into the semi-finals were Delph Bell, Dudley Sports, Miners (Wollescote) and Brickmakers Arms ‘A’. Full Results:3 A-Side Knockout:Quarter Finals:- Delph Bell 4 Netherton Cricket Club ‘A’ 2, Dudley Sports 4 Old Star 2, Miners (Wollescote) 4 Ashwood 0, Brickmakers Arms ‘A’ 4 Old Star 1.
The Henley and District Winter League were engaged in their League Cup and progressing to the next round were Beausale, Dorridge, Studley Cricket Club and Studley Conservative Club who in turn took out Village Inn, Wythall Legion, Wythall RBL and Wootton Bears. Full Results:League Cup:- Village Inn 4 Beausale 5, Dorridge 6 Wythall Legion 3, Wythall RBL 2 Studley Cricket Club 7, Studley Conservative Club 7 Wootton Bears 2.
The Stourbridge and District Monday Night League had the quarter finals of their League Cup on the agenda and of the four games played the only slightly surprising result was the 6-3 win by Glasscutters at Bird (Stourbridge) as in the league Glasscutters are some six places and eight points adrift of their hosts. In the other games Ten Arches ‘B’ beat Church Tavern 5-0, British Oak won 8-1 against Stourbridge RBL and league leaders Brickmakers Arms won 7-2 at Hop House. Full Results:League Cup:Quarter Finals:- Ten Arches ‘B’ 5 Church Tavern 0, British Oak 8 Stourbridge RBL 1, Bird (Stourbridge) 3 Glasscutters 6, Hop House 2 Brickmakers Arms 7.
Prior to the new season getting underway the Cradley Tuesday Night League played the preliminary round of their League Cup and in the local derby between Brickmakers Arms ‘A’ and ‘B’ it was the ‘A’ team who got the 7-2 verdict. Riddins Tavern won 7-2 against Netherton Sports and Social ‘B’ and Bulls Head had a close 5-4 result away to Dudley Labour Club. Full Results:League Cup:Preliminary Round:- Brickmakers Arms ‘B’ 2 Brickmakers Arms ‘A’ 7, Dudley Labour Club 4 Bulls Head 5, Riddins Tavern 7 Netherton Sports and Social ‘B’ 2.
As the second half of the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League got underway leaders Ashwood ‘A’ took their unbeaten run to 20 games with a 5-2 home win over High Acres second placed Swan keeping within two points of them and increasing their average advantage with a 7-0 success away to Brickmakers Arms ‘B’. Third in the table Ashwood ‘B’ also registered a 7-0 win in their fixture at Holly Bush ‘B’ to keep within four points of their ‘A’ team. Full Results:Game 22:- Ten Arches ‘A’ 2 Bell ‘A’ 5, Holly Bush ‘A’ 1 Brickmakers Arms ‘A’ 6, Ashwood ‘A’ 5 High Acres 2, Wilson Hall 3 Glasscutters 4, Gate Hangs Well 6 Fox Inn (Lye) 1, Holly Bush ‘B’ 0 Ashwood ‘B’ 7, Netherton Cricket Club 2 King Arthur 5, Brickmakers Arms ‘B’ 0 Swan 7, Bell ‘B’ 4 Ten Arches ‘B’ 3, Gigmill and Wombourne Cricket Club had a bye.
It was week one of the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League’s new season and three teams Ivy Bush, Merry-Go-Round and The Vine all began the campaign with 6-1 wins over respective opponents Court House, New Talbot and Waggon and Horses. The chasing three teams in the table Dewdrop ‘A’, Miners Arms and Sportsman were not behind the three top teams as they chalked up 5-2 victories in turn over Dewdrop ‘B’, Horseley Tavern and Wonder. Full Results:Game 1:- Dewdrop ‘A’ 5 Dewdrop ‘B’ 2, Waggon and Horses 1 The Vine 6, Horseley Tavern 2 Miners Arms 5, Wonder 2 Sportsman 5, Hayes Social 3 Island Inn 4, New Talbot 1 Merry-Go-Round 6, Court House 1 Ivy Bush 6.
It was cup semi-finals week in the Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League and in the Team Cup Old Bulls Head had a resounding 8-1 win over Gornal Labour Club, meeting them in the final will be Netherton Cricket Club after their 6-3 success against Pensnett Liberal Club. Both of the Team Trophy games finished with close 5-4 results as White Lion and Red Cow accounted for Chainyard and Hilly House. Full Results:Team Cup:Semi Finals:- Gornal Labour Club 1 Old Bulls Head 8, Netherton Cricket Club 6 Pensnett Liberal Club 3, Team Trophy:Semi Finals:- White Lion 5 Chainyard 4, Hilly House 4 Red Cow 5.
Queens Head kept their title hopes in the Pip Club League on course and also their undefeated run of an undefeated eleven games going with a 7-2 win against third in the Main Division Birchmoor Club, Mark Martin hitting a maximum for Queens. Just two points behind Queens is Belgrave Sports and Social Club who with a 180 from Wayne Hewins handed out a 9-0 whitewash to their hosts Progressive Club. Other players to hit a maximum were Paul Thompson (Old Liberal House) and Mark Hollyoake (Pip Club). Full Results:Game 11:- Kettlebrook Club (Jeanette Blount 118, Patsy McCormick 117) 2 Wigginton Arms (Rosie O’Connor 125) 7, Sports Bar ‘180’ (Emily Jones 140) 5 Old Liberal House (Paul Thompson 180) 4, Belgrave Club 6 Pip Club (Mark Hollyoake 180) 3, Queens Head (Mark Martin 180) 7 Birchmoor Club 2, Bulls Head 3 Dolphin 6, Progressive Club (Ross Manton 142f) 0 Belgrave Sports and Social Club (Wayne Hewins 180) 9, Glascote Club (Dylan McCloughlin 112) 4 Globe (Wilnecote) 5, Dolphin Wanderers (Leigton Massey 100) 8 Gate (Amington, Simon Smith 147f, Jo Worth 100) 1.
Eighteen points is now the lead that Allen’s Sports Bar ‘A’ have in the West Midlands Men’s Super League after adding their latest 4-1 win over Hill and Cakemore to their tally. Woodside surrendered their second place as they lost 3-2 at home to The Crown who are eight places below them and have 42 fewer points. Taking over in the number two spot is Yeltz Bar who after a 3-2 home win over The Victoria are now three points ahead of Woodside in third place but eighteen short of the leaders. Full Results:Game 21:- Staffordshire Knot 3 Bridgtown Social 2, Hill and Cakemore 1 Allen’s Sports Bar ‘A’ 4 (P.O’Brien 4 A.Edgar 3, M.Jones 1 A.Jacques 4, J.Bland 1 M.Tedstone 4, J.Orchard 2 N.Fullwell 4, M.Collins 3 D.Nicholls 4), Allen’s Sports Bar ‘D’ 4 Allen’s Sports Bar ‘B’ 1 (O.Maiden 4 T.Gelder 2, L.Marson 4 D.Bull 2, J.Mycock 2 T.Baker 4, D.Thorpe 4 S.Tyler 1, M.Baker 4 R.Fathers 1), Woodside Inn 2 The Crown 3 (R.Colley 2 L.Jones 4, M.Rollinson 3 G.Johnston 4, J.Rollinson 3 K.Harrison 4, L.Kelly 4 S.Hill 0, M.Moore 4 M.Greenwood 2), Gilberts Bar 4 Cabin 1 (S.Parkes 0 J.Simms 4, J.Evans 4 J.Webb 1, R.Cook-Lucas 4 S.Hall 1, G.Rollinson 4 I.Hebberts 2, C.Hill 4 S.Price 3), Yeltz Bar 3 The Victoria 2 (I.Townsend 4 A.Hateley 3, S.Gillam 2 J.Blakemore 4, C.Hall 3 P.Smith 4, J.Lowe 4 M.Cadman 0, P.Wells 4 B.Hollowood 1), Cradley Liberal Club 3 Horse and Jockey 2 (I.Hartland 4 S.Hartsop 0, R.Tipper 4 I.Shaughnessey 2, K.Harris 4 J.Micklewright 1, R.Harris 2 D.Owen 4, C.Penzer 3 A.Howells 4), Allen’s Sports Bar ‘C’ 5 Colebatch’s 0 (S.Jones 4 C.Cook 1, P.Harrison 4 L.Baker 3, T.Edwards 4 G.Walsh 0, M.Coleman 4 S.Price 1, D.Oakes 4 A.Hodson 0).
By Alan Towe Website: www.alantowedarts.co.uk
Congratulations to Warwickshire’s Jamie Hughes and West Midlands player Scott Baker who have both secured a two-year Tour Card after competing at Wigan in the PDC UK Qualifying School. Tipton based Hughes won on the first day of qualifications beating Jamie Barrowman (5-3 with an 86.7 average), Sean Bell (5-1 with an 88.8 average), John Bryan (5-1 with a 97.0 average), Scott Dale (5-2 and a 95.6 average) before a run of three games with top averages of 109.8, 109.3 and 108.5 against respective opponents Callan Rydz (5-4), Kevin Thomas (5-1), and Dafydd Edwards (5-1). Hughes then recorded a resounding 5-1 win over ex-World finalist Kirk Shepherd to secure his status as a full-time professional for the 2019 and 2020 PDC circuit.
On day two and in his first attempt at Q School Scott Baker was also successful. He began his campaign with confidence boosting 5-0 whitewashes over Mark Esposito and Lorraine Winstanley before beating David Adshead 5-2 with a superb 107.7 average. He then followed up with victories over former Tour Card holders Barrie Bates, Stephen Burton and Jonathan Worsley before a 5-2 success over Lakeside Championship semi-finalist Jim Williams to put him within one win of glory.
A convincing 5-1 triumph over American Danny Lauby, confirmed Baker's status, like Hughes as a full-time professional on the PDC circuit for 2019 and 2020.
The intriguing battle at the top of the Shirley Premier League continued in week nine with Thomas Bent taking his turn at the top of the table with 54 points from 18 games after a 3-1 win against Ken Hopton and a 4-0 success against Sam Hicks. Former leader Mark Henderson has dropped to third place as after a 4-0 win over Chris Thomas snr he then lost 3-1 to Chris Thomas jnr leaving him two points short of Bent’s total. Phil Thomas holds on to second place and is just one point off the top after he beat both Brian Lawton and Steve Harper 3-1. Third in the table Ken Hopton is on the same 52 points as the player just above him Mark Henderson despite his 3-1 defeat to Bent as he recovered and went on to win 4-0 against Dave Barrows. Full Results:Week 9:- Chris Thomas snr 1 Dave Fisher 3, Dave Heighway (180) 3 Jordan Ottley 1, Trevor Carter 2 Sam Hicks 2, Jack Barrows 0 Chris Thomas jnr 4, Lee Lattimer 1 Dave Barrows 3, Ken Hopton 1 Thomas Bent 3, Kevin Graver 4 Derek Harper 0, Brian Lawton 1 Phil Thomas 3, Mark Henderson 4 Chris Thomas snr 0, Sean Talbot 2 Gary Cleverley 2, Tony Daly (180) 2 Colin Geens 2, John Smyth 3 Dave Fisher 1, Steve Harper 2 Jordan Ottley (180) 2, Dave Heighway 2 Trevor Carter 2, Thomas Bent 4 Sam Hicks 0, Mark Gwalchmai 0 Brian Lawton (16 darts game) 4, Chris Thomas jnr 3 Mark Henderson 1, Tony Daly 0 Mark Gwalchmai 4, John Smyth 3 Kevin Graver 1, Dave Barrows 0 Ken Hopton 4, Chris Thomas snr 2 Lee Lattimer 2, Jack Barrows 0 Sean Talbot 4, Dave Fisher 3 Derek Harper 1, Phil Thomas (180) 3 Steve Harper 1, Gary Cleverley (100f) 4 Colin Geens 0, Chris Thomas jnr (180) 3 Brian Lawton 1, Kevin Graver 1 Tony Daly 3, Trevor Carter 3 Dave Fisher 1.
The South Birmingham Winter League had their Roy Parry Cup on their fixture card in which there were no shock results as division one leaders Coleshill Social beat division two’s top side The Dog 5-4, the all C’s Club tie produced a convincing 8-1 result in favour of C’s Top Guns who are second in division one over C’s Hot Shots who are placed in a mid-table position in division two. The only other game played was an all division two affair which saw The Trident win 5-4 against C’s Flights. Full Results:Roy Parry Cup:- Coleshill Social 5 (G.Jones 3x100, S.Sweetman 112, N.Harris 115, P.Williams 105) The Dog 4 (J.Boylen 100, M.Clayton 120,100,140,2x12 darts games, S.O'Brien 100,118), C's Flights 4 (J.Pitts 100, R.Beale 133, S.Beale 105b,123,140, J.Meigh 100) The Trident 5 (C.Vann 101b, K.Buttle 116b, J. Lawton 117b), C’s Hot Shots 1 (D.White 100, S.Moran 100, J.Masfield 120) C's Top Guns 8 (S.Edwards 116b, B.Nixon 100,100f,10 darts game, P.Kingdon 107f,140, D.Clinton 140,123,105, M.Mann 100,112b,152b, J.Jennings 120b).
Week thirteen proved to be a little unlucky for a couple of title contenders in the C’s Club Wednesday Night Double Top League as long term leader Bob Nixon suffered his first defeat in 23 games when he lost 2-1 to second in the table Mitchell Mann. With an earlier 2-1 win over Adam Gallett, Nixon holds on to pole position with a two points lead plus four games in hand on Mann who remains second. There was also a first defeat in seventeen games for Simon Edwards as he began the night on the wrong side of a 3-0 scoreline against Steve Sidwell, however he recovered and added 3-0 wins over Melissa Beale and Chris Meigh to his account to put him fourth in the table on 51 points, twelve short of leader Nixon but with four games in hand. Full Results:Week 13:- Pete Kingdon 1 Gavin Davidson 2, Charlie Kingdon 3 Jay Meigh 0, Chris Cooke 0 Richard Mills 3, Jay Pitts 3 Aaron Anson 0, Steve Beale 0 Phil Ashford 3, Jay Meigh 1 Steve Beale 2, Gordon Clinton 0 Dan White 3, Mick Noonan 3 Richard Meigh 0, Simon Edwards 0 Steve Sidwell 3, Mitchell Mann 3 Frank Dixon 0, Connor Marshall 2 Gordon Clinton 1, Bob Nixon 2 Adam Gallett 1, Luke Beale 1 Chris Meigh 2, Steve Sidwell 3 Charlie Kingdon 0, Louise Beale 0 Connor Marshall 3, Melissa Beale 0 Phil Ashford 3, Wayne Cooper 3 Jack Sidwell 0, Jack Sidwell 0 Adam Gallett 3, Steve Sidwell 3 Richard Hopkins 0, Dave Field 3 Richard Meigh 0, Gary Groves 3 Ryan Beale 0, Aaron Anson 0 Dan White 3, Steve Groves 1 Jamie Carter 2, Aaron Anson 0 Richard Mills 3, Jay Pitts 2 Chris Cooke 1, Gavin Davidson 1 Richard Hopkins 2, Steve Sidwell 1 Pete Kingdon (118f) 2, Jack Sidwell 1 Dave Field 2, Dan White 3 Luke Beale 0, Jamie Carter 2 Jack Sidwell 1, Simon Edwards (180) 3 Melissa Beale 0, Steve Groves 2 Louise Beale 1, Wayne Cooper 0 Mick Noonan 3, Luke Beale 0 Ryan Beale 3, Gary Groves 1 Frank Dixon 2, Chris Meigh 0 Simon Edwards 3, Bob Nixon 1 Mitchell Mann 2, Adam Gallett 2 Mick Noonan (180) 1, Richard Hopkins 0 Mitchell Mann 3.
The only notable change in the Shirley and District Monday Night League table was the swapping of places by The Bears and Legion Flights as Flights 6-3 home defeat at the hands of third in the league Red Lion saw them drop to fifth place and The Bears with a 6-3 home win over Legionnaires replace Flights in fourth place. Leaders Highwood with six games to go held on to their four points lead over second in the table The Wharf as they beat Plume of Feathers 8-1 and Wharf won 6-3 at Cider House, Red Lion are a further two points adrift on 36 points. Biggest win of the week was a 9-0 success for Saracens Misfits over Shirley Spartac, which saw Spartac drop to the foot of the table, an excellent 5-4 away win for Sharmans Cross at the Blue Bell lifting them two places off the bottom spot. Full Results:Week 24:- Cider House (Matt McCallion 180, Mark O’Donnell 180) 3 The Wharf (John Smyth 180) 6, Legion Royals 5 Saracens Jesters 4, Blue Bell 4 Sharmans Cross 5, The Bears 6 Legionnaires 3, Legion Flights (Wayne Clarke 110f) 3 Red Lion 6, The Highwood (Andy Foulkes 180) 8 Plume of Feathers 1, Saracens Misfits 9 Shirley Spartac 0, The Lodge had a bye.
Leaders of division one in the Four Oaks and District Winter League The Boat had a bye in week eight and the chasing pack of three all took advantage to reduce the arrears as they all won, however they have now all played one game more than The Boat. Second in the division Old Oscott Arrows drew level on 12 points with the leaders after a 6-3 win at The Boot while Boldmere St Mikes are third and two points adrift of the top two following their 9-0 thrashing of Red Lion. Fourth placed Golden Hind beat Pint Pot Flights 6-3 to leave them a further two points adrift. The Fox stay top of the second division with a 7-2 win at Boldmere Tap to keep them two points ahead of St Thomas’s Social Club who kept the pressure on the leaders with an 8-1 win at The Oscott Social. Erdington Arrows, Bishop Vesey and Drakes Drum are all on the same eight points, Erdington Arrows had a bye but Bishop Vesey lost ground as they suffered a 7-2 defeat at the hands of the Drakes Drum team. Third division leaders Oscott Sports beat The Digby 7-2 and remain unbeaten in seven games while second in the table Rosey Mac’s are just two points off the top after their 7-2 win against Sutton Sports and Social Club. Full Results:Game 8:Division One:- The Boot 3 (J.Kavanagh 100b,112,100, R.Smith 135, P.Opieler 115, T.Evans 116,140,105f, I.Taylor 2x100, R.Kavanagh 100) Old Oscott Arrows 6 (M.Page 100, E.Atkins 140,112, J.Higgins 103b, A.Lea 100,125,128, D.Parsons 112b,4x100,110f,103,115f, B.Hoare 100), Boldmere St Mikes 9 (C.Perry 100b,100,180, M.Wild 120b,121f,100b,125,9 darts game, A.Kimberley 3x140, B.Linnecor 100,111f, M.Ashton 100b,2x100, S.Edwards 141,100,151f, J.Liggins 102,121) Red Lion 0 (M.Gaughan 134, S.Larvin 100, B.Hughes 100, L.Vickers 113), Golden Hind 6 (T.O’Kereke 2x100b,2x100,140, G.Kimberley 100,180, D.Vickers 120,2x100, D.Pickering 100,180, S.Pritchett 100b, T.Vickers 100b,140, W.Naylor 102,100,109f,9 darts game) Pint Pot Flights 3 (P.Robbins 100, N.Robbins 103b, R.Mercer 140, M.Bagnall 100,125, J.Moon 100), Division Two:- Drakes Drum 7 (J.Mahon 100, M.Deathridge 112b,100, J.Clarke 102b,139,8 darts game, J.Verschoyle 120b, N.Goldie 116, A.Day 3x100) Bishop Vesey 2 (N.Sammons 102b,140, M.Hall 100, A.France 2x100,105, D.Sammons 100), The Oscott Social 1 (P.Graham 100, A.Whitehouse 124b,140, T.Purcell 140) St Thomas’s Social Club 8 (J.Collins 108b,121, I.Lloyd 112b,2x100, M.Corfield 100b,3x100,137,120, I.Matthews 100,133, K.Shorthouse 100), Boldmere Tap 2 (D.Simpson 125,2x100, K.Gow 100, P.Bromley 125) The Fox 7 (A.Cooksey 101,140,158f, M.Horacek 100, W.Cadby 2x100, S.Wilson 140,100), Division Three:- Oscott Sports 7 (D.Munge 100b, M.Bowles 100,140, J.Tolley 144, A.Cole 100, C.Farley 100, N.Hawkley 112b,100, R.Bennett 101b,100) The Digby 2 (T.Streeter 105b,100, D.Thompson 138,121,140, G.Wood 100b,123,100, H.Saddler 125,100), St Thomas’s Arrows 5 (R.Nelson 106b, P.Andrew 121, M.Andrews 100, C.Connelly 100, M.Price 120, G.Lynch 103) The Towers 4 (D.Stride 2x100, J.Addison 3x100, A.Poyner 120b,100), Rosey Mac’s 7 (R.Lloyd 119, S.Wright 105b,116,125, A.Poole 119, J.Cox snr 100,105,136) Sutton Sports and Social Club 2 (G.Hinett 100, D.Clarke 100, C.Clarke 101, J.Boulstridge 101b, R.Hinett 100), The Boat, Erdington Arrows and The Lad In The Lane all had a bye.
The Camp Hill League have got their new season underway and the early pacesetters with 5-2 wins are Roost and Tyseley WMC who in turn defeated North Star and Wagon and Horses. Just one leg of average short of the top two teams are Sedgemere Devil’s Club and reigning champions White Swan Nomads who in turn had 4-3 wins over Emerald Club and New Inn. Full Results:Week 1:- Tyseley WMC 5 Wagon and Horses 2, White Swan Nomads 4 New Inn 3, Emerald Club 3 Sedgemere Devil’s Club 4, North Star 2 The Roost 5.
It was cup week in the Small Heath League with the semi-finals of their League Cup and the next game in the Round Robin Consolation Cup. In the League Cup league leaders East Birmingham Allotment Holders Association handed out a 9-0 whitewash to their opponents Sheldon Marlborough Flights and currently second in the league Heartlands Club won 8-1 against Sheldon Marlborough Arrows to set up what will be a tremendous final between the league’s top two teams. In the Round Robin Consolation Cup there was a 5-4 win for Emerald Club over Cob’s Bar. Full Results:League Cup:Semi Finals:- Sheldon Marlborough Flights 0 (R.McGuigan 112) East Birmingham Allotment Holders Association 9 (N.Parsonage 100,140, C.Wyatt 2x120b, N.Davis 105,100,120b, M.Cooper 140, T.White 100,120b,125), Sheldon Marlborough Arrows 1 (M.Tilly 100,120, D.Brown 136, M.O’Sullivan 118) Heartlands Club 8 (D.Bond 100b, I.Jones 120b,102f, Jim Frost 100,118f, G.McCormack 120b,127, S.McCormack 122, S.Cain 120b,100, A.Downes 180, John Frost 100), Consolation Cup:- Cob’s Bar 4 (A.Lattimer 139f,121, D.Shakespeare 100) Emerald Club 5 (A.Fisher 128, D.Willis 100, G.Daly 100).
The quarter finals of the 3 A-Side Knockout was the order for the day for the Brierley Hill Friday Night League and making their way into the semi-finals were Delph Bell, Dudley Sports, Miners (Wollescote) and Brickmakers Arms ‘A’. Full Results:3 A-Side Knockout:Quarter Finals:- Delph Bell 4 Netherton Cricket Club ‘A’ 2, Dudley Sports 4 Old Star 2, Miners (Wollescote) 4 Ashwood 0, Brickmakers Arms ‘A’ 4 Old Star 1.
The Henley and District Winter League were engaged in their League Cup and progressing to the next round were Beausale, Dorridge, Studley Cricket Club and Studley Conservative Club who in turn took out Village Inn, Wythall Legion, Wythall RBL and Wootton Bears. Full Results:League Cup:- Village Inn 4 Beausale 5, Dorridge 6 Wythall Legion 3, Wythall RBL 2 Studley Cricket Club 7, Studley Conservative Club 7 Wootton Bears 2.
The Stourbridge and District Monday Night League had the quarter finals of their League Cup on the agenda and of the four games played the only slightly surprising result was the 6-3 win by Glasscutters at Bird (Stourbridge) as in the league Glasscutters are some six places and eight points adrift of their hosts. In the other games Ten Arches ‘B’ beat Church Tavern 5-0, British Oak won 8-1 against Stourbridge RBL and league leaders Brickmakers Arms won 7-2 at Hop House. Full Results:League Cup:Quarter Finals:- Ten Arches ‘B’ 5 Church Tavern 0, British Oak 8 Stourbridge RBL 1, Bird (Stourbridge) 3 Glasscutters 6, Hop House 2 Brickmakers Arms 7.
Prior to the new season getting underway the Cradley Tuesday Night League played the preliminary round of their League Cup and in the local derby between Brickmakers Arms ‘A’ and ‘B’ it was the ‘A’ team who got the 7-2 verdict. Riddins Tavern won 7-2 against Netherton Sports and Social ‘B’ and Bulls Head had a close 5-4 result away to Dudley Labour Club. Full Results:League Cup:Preliminary Round:- Brickmakers Arms ‘B’ 2 Brickmakers Arms ‘A’ 7, Dudley Labour Club 4 Bulls Head 5, Riddins Tavern 7 Netherton Sports and Social ‘B’ 2.
As the second half of the Stourbridge and District Wednesday Night League got underway leaders Ashwood ‘A’ took their unbeaten run to 20 games with a 5-2 home win over High Acres second placed Swan keeping within two points of them and increasing their average advantage with a 7-0 success away to Brickmakers Arms ‘B’. Third in the table Ashwood ‘B’ also registered a 7-0 win in their fixture at Holly Bush ‘B’ to keep within four points of their ‘A’ team. Full Results:Game 22:- Ten Arches ‘A’ 2 Bell ‘A’ 5, Holly Bush ‘A’ 1 Brickmakers Arms ‘A’ 6, Ashwood ‘A’ 5 High Acres 2, Wilson Hall 3 Glasscutters 4, Gate Hangs Well 6 Fox Inn (Lye) 1, Holly Bush ‘B’ 0 Ashwood ‘B’ 7, Netherton Cricket Club 2 King Arthur 5, Brickmakers Arms ‘B’ 0 Swan 7, Bell ‘B’ 4 Ten Arches ‘B’ 3, Gigmill and Wombourne Cricket Club had a bye.
It was week one of the Hilltop Friendly Tuesday Night League’s new season and three teams Ivy Bush, Merry-Go-Round and The Vine all began the campaign with 6-1 wins over respective opponents Court House, New Talbot and Waggon and Horses. The chasing three teams in the table Dewdrop ‘A’, Miners Arms and Sportsman were not behind the three top teams as they chalked up 5-2 victories in turn over Dewdrop ‘B’, Horseley Tavern and Wonder. Full Results:Game 1:- Dewdrop ‘A’ 5 Dewdrop ‘B’ 2, Waggon and Horses 1 The Vine 6, Horseley Tavern 2 Miners Arms 5, Wonder 2 Sportsman 5, Hayes Social 3 Island Inn 4, New Talbot 1 Merry-Go-Round 6, Court House 1 Ivy Bush 6.
It was cup semi-finals week in the Sedgley and Gornal Tuesday Night League and in the Team Cup Old Bulls Head had a resounding 8-1 win over Gornal Labour Club, meeting them in the final will be Netherton Cricket Club after their 6-3 success against Pensnett Liberal Club. Both of the Team Trophy games finished with close 5-4 results as White Lion and Red Cow accounted for Chainyard and Hilly House. Full Results:Team Cup:Semi Finals:- Gornal Labour Club 1 Old Bulls Head 8, Netherton Cricket Club 6 Pensnett Liberal Club 3, Team Trophy:Semi Finals:- White Lion 5 Chainyard 4, Hilly House 4 Red Cow 5.
Queens Head kept their title hopes in the Pip Club League on course and also their undefeated run of an undefeated eleven games going with a 7-2 win against third in the Main Division Birchmoor Club, Mark Martin hitting a maximum for Queens. Just two points behind Queens is Belgrave Sports and Social Club who with a 180 from Wayne Hewins handed out a 9-0 whitewash to their hosts Progressive Club. Other players to hit a maximum were Paul Thompson (Old Liberal House) and Mark Hollyoake (Pip Club). Full Results:Game 11:- Kettlebrook Club (Jeanette Blount 118, Patsy McCormick 117) 2 Wigginton Arms (Rosie O’Connor 125) 7, Sports Bar ‘180’ (Emily Jones 140) 5 Old Liberal House (Paul Thompson 180) 4, Belgrave Club 6 Pip Club (Mark Hollyoake 180) 3, Queens Head (Mark Martin 180) 7 Birchmoor Club 2, Bulls Head 3 Dolphin 6, Progressive Club (Ross Manton 142f) 0 Belgrave Sports and Social Club (Wayne Hewins 180) 9, Glascote Club (Dylan McCloughlin 112) 4 Globe (Wilnecote) 5, Dolphin Wanderers (Leigton Massey 100) 8 Gate (Amington, Simon Smith 147f, Jo Worth 100) 1.
Eighteen points is now the lead that Allen’s Sports Bar ‘A’ have in the West Midlands Men’s Super League after adding their latest 4-1 win over Hill and Cakemore to their tally. Woodside surrendered their second place as they lost 3-2 at home to The Crown who are eight places below them and have 42 fewer points. Taking over in the number two spot is Yeltz Bar who after a 3-2 home win over The Victoria are now three points ahead of Woodside in third place but eighteen short of the leaders. Full Results:Game 21:- Staffordshire Knot 3 Bridgtown Social 2, Hill and Cakemore 1 Allen’s Sports Bar ‘A’ 4 (P.O’Brien 4 A.Edgar 3, M.Jones 1 A.Jacques 4, J.Bland 1 M.Tedstone 4, J.Orchard 2 N.Fullwell 4, M.Collins 3 D.Nicholls 4), Allen’s Sports Bar ‘D’ 4 Allen’s Sports Bar ‘B’ 1 (O.Maiden 4 T.Gelder 2, L.Marson 4 D.Bull 2, J.Mycock 2 T.Baker 4, D.Thorpe 4 S.Tyler 1, M.Baker 4 R.Fathers 1), Woodside Inn 2 The Crown 3 (R.Colley 2 L.Jones 4, M.Rollinson 3 G.Johnston 4, J.Rollinson 3 K.Harrison 4, L.Kelly 4 S.Hill 0, M.Moore 4 M.Greenwood 2), Gilberts Bar 4 Cabin 1 (S.Parkes 0 J.Simms 4, J.Evans 4 J.Webb 1, R.Cook-Lucas 4 S.Hall 1, G.Rollinson 4 I.Hebberts 2, C.Hill 4 S.Price 3), Yeltz Bar 3 The Victoria 2 (I.Townsend 4 A.Hateley 3, S.Gillam 2 J.Blakemore 4, C.Hall 3 P.Smith 4, J.Lowe 4 M.Cadman 0, P.Wells 4 B.Hollowood 1), Cradley Liberal Club 3 Horse and Jockey 2 (I.Hartland 4 S.Hartsop 0, R.Tipper 4 I.Shaughnessey 2, K.Harris 4 J.Micklewright 1, R.Harris 2 D.Owen 4, C.Penzer 3 A.Howells 4), Allen’s Sports Bar ‘C’ 5 Colebatch’s 0 (S.Jones 4 C.Cook 1, P.Harrison 4 L.Baker 3, T.Edwards 4 G.Walsh 0, M.Coleman 4 S.Price 1, D.Oakes 4 A.Hodson 0).
By Alan Towe Website: www.alantowedarts.co.uk